For those of my readers who were wondering where I had disappeared to for the last couple of months, I have some wonderful news to share. Well, I was in good old ‘Londres’ welcoming the arrival of my brand-new grandson – who turned up two weeks before his due date – and put my sedate life into complete and total turmoil.
So, one minute I was feasting on a lavish Italian dinner and observing, with great interest, a little elbow-shaped bump poking out from our pregnant daughter’s belly, and the next moment she went into labour, and had to be rushed instantly to hospital.
All along the way she kept insisting that it was not time yet because she had still not handed me her typed out list that specified, in a clear, concise and methodical manner, how I was to look after her older toddler. The fact that I had quite competently looked after her own self when she was a toddler utterly escaped her attention.
Therefore, very solemnly I promised to go by the book, I mean, the list, which had instructions like check the temperature of the milk by sprinkling it on the back of your wrist before offering it to the baby. Also, to make sure that the baby’s jacket is fully buttoned-up before taking her outdoors. Some more, very obvious guidelines were also listed, which I glanced through hastily, before chucking it in the waste-paper basket.
Mothers know best, I agree, but grandmothers manufacture those mothers, so they must be knowing better than the best of them, right?
In 1849, French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” or “the more things change, the more they stay the same”.
Inspired by these profound words of wisdom, John Francis Bongiovi Jr., also known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor, best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983, sang “The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ah, is it just me or does anybody see the new improved tomorrow isn’t what it used to be. Yesterday keeps comin’ ’round, it’s just reality. It’s the same damn song with a different melody.”
And sometimes the same old song comes around with the same exact melody too; only just because it is packaged in a shiny new avatar, we take a long time in recognising it. And relating to it. And accepting it.
But when the wheel turns another full circle and more time elapses, we get to encounter the true essence of our existence and the relatively challenging aspects of life. However, when circumstances change, we often find ourselves facing similar situations over and over again, which implies that although the external elements may alter, the inherent human experience remains constant. In other words, every birth is celebratory and a harbinger of happiness – whether it is of one’s child, or one’s grandchild.
Right! So, in this brand-new year, what do I wish for? My fervent prayers for my loved ones – friends, family and myself included – is to enjoy good health.
“I want all of us to be healthy,” I say aloud.
“Why not wealthy?” my husband asks.
“Or wise?” he adds before I can answer.
“Wise would be nice,” I tell him.
“But then,” I pause.
“But then?” my spouse prompts.
“Health is wealth,” I counsel.
By Nickunj Malik
|| features@portugalresident.com
Nickunj Malik’s journalistic career began when she walked into the office of Khaleej Times newspaper in Dubai thirty-one years ago and got the job. Since then, her articles have appeared in various newspapers all over the world. She now resides in Portugal and is married to a banker who loves numbers more than words.
